Tag Archives: 2009 Florida Budget

As you may have recently read in the Ledger, USF Polytechnic is poised to receive the funding necessary to develop the programs, faculty and facilities to move the University toward its mission as Floridaâ€™s first Polytechnic University. USF Polytechnic is unquestionably one of the most important economic development projects to impact Lakeland, Polk County and the I-4 corridor in years, and will serve as a catalyst to attract high skill/high wage industry and jobs to our region. The Lakeland community is already experiencing the ripple effect associated with this project. Welldyne, a high-tech pharmaceutical company, chose to build its newest facility in Lakeland because of USF Polytechnic. They have pledged to fill 700 jobs in the next two years. As the University grows our community can expect to see various support industries moving to Lakeland.

As business leaders in the community, the Chamber is encouraging you to communicate your support of USF Polytechnic and ask Governor Crist to support the funding allocated in this yearâ€™s budget for the University. David Steele, Director of University Advancement, has provided some points and communication tips to assist in this process:

It represents a stunning opportunity for economic development in one of the state’s most dynamic regions, at the heart of Florida’s High Tech Corridor. (Key sectors include information technology, manufacturing/logistics/distribution, healthcare, engineering, etc.)

The PECO (construction dollars) funding is vital as an economic stimulus initiative (construction projects have tremendous “ripple effects” on the economy)

The base budget funding for new faculty & programs is crucial as USFP develops an exciting new model of public higher education and moves toward separate accreditation.

Well over $100 million has already been invested in this project by local government and private donors. The state “needs to do its part” and leverage those investments.

This is important to you, your organization, your community/region, and the state.

This is about “finishing what we started” and positioning Florida for global competitiveness.

COMMUNICATION TIPS:

Use multiple modes of communication: email is quickest, but you can follow up with fax, phone, AND “snail mail”.

Open your communication with a clear statement of support. Don’t save that for the end. At the end you can reinforce your message.